Bucks center Larry Sanders is far from last year’s averages of 9.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Last year he was winning acclaim as a shot blocker and defensive game-changer, eventually finishing third in the league's most improved player voting.

This year? It's hard to know where to start.

The Milwaukee Bucks' 6-foot-11 center's troubles have been well-documented, from the bar brawl that cost him six weeks (torn ligament in his right thumb) to the loud post-game argument with Gary Neal in the locker room in Phoenix this month.

But the real concern with Sanders right now is his play on the court.

In Saturday night's game, Sanders missed all five shots he took and finished with one point, four rebounds, two turnovers and no blocks in 21 minutes.

And this was against an Atlanta team that started former Bucks player Gustavo Ayon at center, because Al Horford and Pero Antic both were out with injuries.

On Monday night Sanders will face a steeper challenge against his good friend Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan. And Western Conference all-star starter Blake Griffin will be around, too, as Lob City makes its only BMO Harris Bradley Center appearance.

Sanders admitted after the Bucks' lopsided loss to Atlanta that his shooting has been affected by the thumb injury he suffered in the downtown bar brawl. He wore a protective wrap on his hand until the last two games, when he discarded it.

But even close-in shots are no sure thing for Sanders right now.

"I'm off a little bit; it's a little bit of rushing," Sanders said. "I've just got to play more without the cast on my hand.

"It's just limited, the angle which it (the thumb) can go. Guys just have to get in the gym together and see if we can work through the problems."

Sanders averaged nearly a double-double (9.8 points and 9.5 rebounds) last season while ranking second in blocks (2.8 average) to Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka.

In 17 games this season he is averaging 6.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while playing about 2½ minutes fewer each game.

His energy level seemed high when Sanders first returned from his injury, but his play has been inconsistent and he has struggled to defend more physical players.

"I have to be patient with myself," Sanders said. "I've been patient with myself so far and I have to continue to do that and not get too frustrated with having bad games or my play.

"Just stay the course."

There have been a few bright spots for Sanders since his return in late December. He had 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in his first game back in the lineup Dec. 27 at Brooklyn.

Sanders had 10 points and 12 rebounds against Memphis last week and posted a season-high five blocks at Houston.

The Bucks made a major commitment to Sanders in the off-season with a four-year, $44 million contract extension that will kick in next season. So they must be patient, too.

"You see both sides of the spectrum," the 25-year-old Sanders said of his roller-coaster ride since the start of last season. "You kind of know where to put your faith and your confidence.

"You know who your family is; you know who your friends are. You know people who are just drawn to the attention, like flies to light. It's good to see that and kind of understand what this really is."

Sanders said he believes the Bucks eventually will improve despite their league-worst record (8-35) and unsettled lineup issues.

"It's a process," he said. "Look at Portland and how they struggled last year, losing 13 games in a row to end the season.

"We have to believe when everyone else stops. People are going to stop believing and get afraid and get off the bandwagon. But we have to continue to play so we have to believe in ourselves."

Sanders said he has seen leadership from veterans such as Zaza Pachulia and Caron Butler and 22-year-old point guard Brandon Knight.

"Brandon has that fight in him," Sanders said. "And as we get used to each other more and more, he definitely will be someone guys will be able to lean on for encouragement.

"You just have to open up, get outside of yourself. Nobody wants to be losing this many games; you get consumed, swamped down with that. But when you get outside of that and understand where you are and who you are, things get better. Hopefully we get to that point soon."